ASOMAR
The Mexican Association of Maritime Tugboat Owners, A.C. (ASOMAR) brings together and represents companies dedicated to port tug services in Mexico, coordinating efforts on safety, operational efficiency, and the development of the maritime-port sector.
Who we are
The Mexican Association of Maritime Tugboat Owners, A.C. (ASOMAR) is a non-profit business organization that brings together and represents all companies dedicated to port tug services in Mexico.
Its purpose is to act as an interlocutor with maritime and port authorities, fostering the provision of anchoring, inbound, outbound, berthing, unberthing, and shifting maneuvers within port limits under the highest standards of quality, timeliness, and efficiency, ensuring the safety of inner-port navigation and facilities. It also participates in the development of the merchant marine, the national port system, and foreign trade.
ASOMAR acts as a space for coordination, technical dialogue, and collaboration among companies that share a common standard of safety, professionalism, and service ethics.
History
ASOMAR emerged in the late 1990s, in a context of Mexican port modernization and the opening to private investment in port services. Since then, the association has accompanied the country’s growth in infrastructure and cargo movement, consolidating itself as the organized voice of tugboat owners.
Over more than twenty-seven years of continuous work, the companies grouped within ASOMAR have invested steadily in modern fleets, the professionalization of their crews, and improvements to operational processes. Today, the association represents all companies that collectively operate an approximate fleet of 80 tugboats, generating nearly 1,700 direct jobs that are highly specialized in ports across the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific.
This joint effort has helped Mexico’s port towing service reach one of its best moments, with high levels of reliability and a track record free of serious accidents, reflecting a deeply rooted safety culture in the sector.
Values
Protecting human life at sea, port facilities, vessels, and the environment is the top priority. The port towing industry has maintained an exemplary record without major incidents in recent years, thanks to a culture of prevention, maintenance, and responsible operations.
Each port towing operation is understood as a fundamental part of the logistics chain. Agile, reliable, and well-coordinated maneuvers are prioritized to reduce waiting times and increase the competitiveness of Mexican ports.
Member companies invest in the training of captains, seafarers, and technical staff, emphasizing compliance with national and international regulations as well as high-level operating standards. Service ethics and meeting commitments are central to daily work, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Fleet modernization, the integration of advanced propulsion systems, and the adoption of new technologies are pillars of the sector. The transition toward azimuth tugboats and higher bollard pull equipment has significantly improved safety and maneuverability in Mexican ports.
Industry unity and coordinated work make it possible to share best practices, engage in dialogue with authorities, and respond jointly to the challenges of the maritime-port environment. Trust and cooperation among member companies are among ASOMAR’s greatest strengths.
Association services
ASOMAR does not provide commercial towing services directly; its role is industry-based, technical, and representative. Key lines of action include:
Participating as a consultative body and interlocutor before federal, state, and local agencies on maritime and port matters, especially topics related to towing and port operations.
Collaborating in the drafting, updating, and dissemination of standards, guidelines, and best practices that strengthen navigation safety and port maneuvers.
Promoting training and continuing education programs for member company personnel, as well as technical exchange spaces on operations, maintenance, new technologies, and risk management.
Communicating the strategic relevance of towing services for Mexico’s foreign trade and for efficient port operations, highlighting the economic and social impact of the activity in Mexican ports.
Building collaboration bridges with other business associations, chambers, international organizations, and logistics ecosystem actors, in order to join efforts on shared priorities.
Member company activities
The companies that make up ASOMAR provide, among others, the following specialized services:
Tug assistance to vessels of all types (container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, cruise ships, etc.) in anchoring, inbound, outbound, berthing, unberthing, and shifting maneuvers within Mexican port limits.
Support operations for special maneuvers, internal movements within port facilities, and assistance under adverse weather conditions, in coordination with the maritime authority.
In some cases, support for offshore platforms, towing of marine structures, barges, and complementary services linked to short-distance maritime transport.
Due to the technical capabilities of modern tugboats, our units are equipped to assist with firefighting support, emergencies, or salvage maneuvers, in accordance with instructions from the competent authority.
Member companies and coverage
Together, ASOMAR brings together companies that provide port towing services in Mexico’s main commercial ports. Collectively, member companies operate a fleet of approximately 80 tugboats, with average investment per unit in the range of $10 to $12 million USD, and generate around 1,700 highly qualified direct jobs.
The association brings together Mexican companies with solid local experience, complemented by the knowledge and technology of global towing players. Member fleets serve strategic ports in the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific, contributing to Mexico having technical capabilities comparable to those of the world’s leading ports.
Relationship with authorities and sector organizations
ASOMAR maintains an ongoing collaborative relationship with key maritime-port institutions, including:
Through working meetings, technical roundtables, and participation in specialized forums, the association contributes information, proposals, and operational experience that enhance public decision-making and regulatory improvement on towing, safety, and port operations.
Corporate governance
ASOMAR has a Board of Directors made up of representatives of member companies. This body is responsible for defining the strategy, work lines, and priorities of the association, as well as appointing the Presidency and support committees on technical, legal, and administrative matters.
ASOMAR’s leadership is characterized by unity and cooperation among members, with a focus on consensus, transparency, and commitment to sector development.
Membership
Membership in ASOMAR is intended for companies that:
Being part of ASOMAR allows companies to:
News and activities
ASOMAR actively participates in forums, congresses, and events in the maritime-port sector, as well as in initiatives focused on safety, innovation, and cooperation among actors in the logistics chain.